Parcel Tax Prop. May Decide Fate of City College

Proponents of Proposition A, a parcel tax on November’s ballot to fund City College of San Francisco, say that without the ballot measure, hundreds of college classes will be eliminated.

Opponents, on the other hand, argue taxpayers shouldn’t throw money at a community college on the verge of having its accreditation revoked because of operational and fiscal mismanagement.

Ultimately, voters will decide whether to approve the measure to levy a $79 annual parcel tax for eight years, providing city college with $17 million a year.

City College, the largest community college in the state, has nine campuses throughout San Francisco and serves over 90,000 students annually. One of those campuses is located in the heart of the Mission District.

Last year, the state reduced funding to City College by $15 million and a total of $53 million over the past three years. If approved, Prop A would restore some of the funds cut by the state, but not all, said John Rizzo, president of City College’s Board of Trustees.